Margo Otey...Real Estate Blog... Metrowest of Boston

COLOR ME BEAUTIFUL! Color in your home can change how you feel! Taking some steps to select the right color can make an instant difference in the way a buyer perceives your home. Suggestions for selecting color: 1. White – makes the room invisible. Does not help the buyer to imagine themselves li...

WHEN DO THINGS BECOME OBSOLETE? Everything has a shelf life, but when should you replace the substantial items in your home? Here is a suggested schedule to keep your home well-maintained & up to date: 5-10 years : time for new carpets, kitchen appliances, smoke detectors(note: new MA standards a...

SPRING CLEANING - KEEP OR SWEEP? My grandmother was a keeper - by that I mean she kept EVERYTHING! Perhaps because of all that clutter my dad was a sweeper - he swept everything in his path to the dump! It didn't matter if it was purchased yesterday - out the door it went! Whether you are prepari...

Selling your own home has pitfalls.  This blog makes an excellent point of the fact that when sellers speak directly to buyers they can unwittingly give away their negotiating power.  Worth re-blogging!First let me say, I am not a Realtor. However, as a Plano Home Staging Professional, my busines...

According to the EPA, 20% of New England homes rely on private wells for drinking water.  Yet despite the obvious importance, many people don't know if their water is potable? Well water should be tested annually for the quality of the drinking water.  Tests are performed for bacteria and other ...

What should you fix before you put your home on the market?  I am often called in by sellers who want to know what they need to fix to be prepared for the market.  There are certain issues that commonly appear on home inspections.  Address these up front, and you have a better chance of not losin...

Ok, I'm a confessed adrenaline junkie, so the film "The Science of Adrenaline" at the Boston Museum of Science was a "must see"!  As you may have surmised from my picture, between listings and sales I enjoy club & vintage car racing - lately running my blue '67 Porsche 911.  Cars have always been...

To help protect against Identity Theft try a Credit Freeze. The 3 major credit reporting companies - TransUnion, Experian and Equifax - allow you to freeze access to your credit reports for a fee of $5/Freeze. Once a Credit or Security Freeze is placed on your account, credit reporting agencies ...

                                               It may come as a surprise, but even in today's global economy, nearly 4 of every 10 homeowners still live in their home town! What motivates those who do move? A better economic opportunity is the top reason for out-of-town moves. With Boston listed ...

          GOT MOLD? "Got milk"? Well that might be good, but if you've "Got Mold" - or have made a claim based on water damage - you might find you haven't got insurance! Even if your insurer isn't looking into your water problems, they are looking into the profiles of their insured. Made a claim...